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The program was halted after the Tennessee Department of Health rescinded grants for HIV and syphilis testing previously awarded to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Tennessee.

On February 16th, United States District Judge William Haynes ruled to grant a preliminary injunction to stop the Tennessee Department of Health from excluding Planned Parenthood from the HIV and syphilis testing and prevention programs.

The resumption of funding means that Planned Parenthood is able to once again offer free weekly HIV testing and prevention counseling at the following locations and times:

PPGMR will resume offering free syphilis testing at its health center at 2430 Poplar Avenue and at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center in the next few weeks.

“We are pleased to be able to once again offer these vital testing and education services to the community,” said Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region CEO Barry Chase. “HIV and STD testing and prevention counseling save lives. Making testing free and available at times and places that people find convenient makes it more accessible. We believe that everyone in the Memphis area should know their HIV status and learn how to protect themselves and their partners from sexually transmitted infections.”

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Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR), founded in 1938, is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. PPGMR’s mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive and related health care through clinic services, education, advocacy and community partnerships in serving 42 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.